Minister with responsibility for Carnival Dwayne George has called on the public to turn out in force for Carnival 2026, announcing that preparations at the Antigua Recreation Grounds (ARG) are approximately 70 percent complete.
George made the appeal following a briefing by the Festivals Commission on preparations for the Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival, which runs officially from July 25th to August 4th.
"I want the people, the good people of Antigua and Barbuda, to come out and support our culture, because our culture can't survive unless we support our culture in person, in family," George said.
The minister thanked the Festivals Commission, the government, and the public for their continued support, noting that this year marks the festival's 69th staging. He said the goal was to make it the biggest Carnival the country has ever seen.
"Security is on point, our bathrooms are on point, the parking is on point, everything is on point. We are moving in the right direction," George said.
The Festivals Commission advised the minister that the ARG will be fully ready by the afternoon of July 16th, ahead of the Calypso Semi-Finals. The commission credited the Ministry of Works for bringing the facility up to a comfortable standard for patrons, and highlighted a new stage, sound, and lighting system as key upgrades for this year's festival.
On security, the commission confirmed that a six-member committee has been assembled to oversee the grounds, with a separate outdoor team monitoring the perimeter. Attendees and staff will be accredited through a scanning portal at the gates, allowing for better tracking of movement on the grounds.
Parking arrangements include designated areas for event staff and judges, with nearby schools offering paid parking to raise funds for their institutions. Police are expected to patrol the surrounding area once patrons have parked.
Ticket sales are progressing smoothly, with the Party Monarch semi-finals scheduled for Friday, July 17th. A prize for the biggest branded crew will be announced on the night.
A ticket booth near Long Street is set to open this Thursday, offering daily sales from 11 a.m. on Carnival activation dates. Children's events — including Junior Calypso and Junior Party Monarch on Sunday, July 19th, and Junior Carnival on July 26th — will be free of charge.
